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Abstract:

An input apparatus capable of providing, through a touch sensor, a
tactile sensation as it were a sensation obtained when operating a key
and the like constituted of a mechanical switch.
An input apparatus 1 has a touch sensor 11 configured to detect a
contact, a load detection unit 12 configured to detect a pressure load on
a touch face of the touch sensor 11, a tactile sensation providing unit
13 configured to vibrate the touch face, and a control unit 15 configured
to control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit 13, when a
position of the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 moves into a
predetermined region while the pressure load detected by the load
detection unit 12 satisfies a predetermined standard, such that a tactile
sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch face.

Claims:

1. An input apparatus comprising: a touch sensor configured to detect a
contact; a load detection unit configured to detect a pressure load on a
touch face of the touch sensor; a tactile sensation providing unit
configured to vibrate the touch face; and a control unit configured to
control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit, when a position of
the contact detected by the touch sensor moves into a predetermined
region while the pressure load detected by the load detection unit
satisfies a predetermined standard, such that a tactile sensation is
provided to an object pressing the touch face.

2. (canceled)

3. An input apparatus comprising: a touch sensor configured to detect a
contact; a load detection unit configured to detect a pressure load on a
touch face of the touch sensor; a tactile sensation providing unit
configured to vibrate the touch face; and a control unit configured to
control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit, when a position of
the contact detected by the touch sensor moves out of a predetermined
region while the pressure load detected by the load detection unit
satisfies a predetermined standard, such that a tactile sensation is
provided to an object pressing the touch face.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese
Patent Application No. 2009-197318 filed on Aug. 27, 2009, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an input apparatus having a touch
sensor.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In recent years, there are mobile terminals such as mobile phones
that employ input apparatuses having touch sensors such as touch panels,
touch switches, or the like, as input apparatuses such as operation
units, switches and the like configured to receive input operations by
users. Such input apparatuses having touch sensors are popularly employed
not only by the mobile terminals but also by information equipments such
as calculators, ticket vending machines, home electric appliances such as
microwaves, TV sets, lighting equipments, industrial equipments (FA
equipments) and the like.

[0004] There are known a variety of types of those touch sensors, such as
a resistive film type, a capacitive type, an optical type and the like.
However, touch sensors of any of these types receive a touch input by a
finger or a stylus pen, and, unlike push-button switches, touch sensors
themselves are not physically displaced when touched.

[0005] Since the touch sensors themselves are not physically displaced
when touched, an operator cannot obtain feedback to an input even though
the touch input is received. As an operation feeling to "have pressed or
have canceled pressing down" is not obtained in operation input, the
operator cannot perceive whether the touch sensor detects the operation
input. As a result, the operator is likely to repeat inputting the same
spot multiple times, which may be stressful for the operator.

[0006] In order to prevent such unnecessary repetitive inputs, there are
known input apparatuses allowing for visual or auditory confirmation of
the input operations by, for example, generating sounds when detecting
the touch input or by changing a display state, such as colors of input
objects such as input buttons and the like graphically depicted on a
display unit, based on an input position.

[0007] However, such auditory feedback may be difficult to be confirmed in
a noisy environment and is not applicable when the equipment being used
is in a silent mode. In addition, in using such visual feedback, if the
input object displayed on the display unit is small, the operator may not
be able to confirm the change in the display state, as a view of the
input object is blocked by a finger, particularly when the operator is
inputting by the finger.

[0008] In order to deal with such a problem, there is also suggested a
feedback method relying on neither the auditory- nor visual sensation but
instead generating a tactile sensation at operator's fingertip by
vibrating the touch sensor when the touch sensor detects an input (for
example, see Patent Documents 1, 2).

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-288158

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-130055

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0011] According to the techniques disclosed in the above Patent Documents
1 and 2, it is possible to provide the tactile sensation by vibration at
the operator's fingertip when the operation input to the touch sensor is
detected. Therefore, in carrying out an input by means of such an input
apparatus, the operator can tactually recognize that the operation input
to the touch sensor is detected by the input apparatus.

[0012] In addition, application of such technique to the input apparatus
enables to provide the tactile sensation only when there is an input to
the touch sensor at a position corresponding to the input object such as
the input button and the like graphically depicted on the display unit,
based on position information from the touch sensor. That is, the input
apparatus adopting the technique described above, while displaying the
input objects such as keys and buttons on the display unit, is capable of
providing the tactile sensation not in response to the touch input to the
touch sensor at a position corresponding to no keys but in response to
the touch input to the touch sensor at a position corresponding to the
key.

[0013] The techniques disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2,
however, merely vibrate the touch sensor in response to an input when the
touch sensor detects the input. Therefore, especially in using the input
apparatus having the button switch such as a mechanical push-button
switch (push-type button switch) graphically depicted on the touch
sensor, the tactile sensation is provided when the finger or the like
lightly contacts (touches) the touch sensor. Since such an input
apparatus responds to a light contact (touch) before the operator pushes
the touch sensor, it may lead to an erroneous operation. In addition,
since such an input operation provides the tactile sensation in response
to a light contact (touch) before the operator pushes the touch sensor
even if the operator has no intention to push the button switch
graphically depicted (even if the operator is not applying a pressure),
it provides a feeling of strangeness to the operator.

[0014] Incidentally, there is a so-called slide input as an input method
which is characteristic in an input mode using the touch sensor. The
slide input is an input to move a touch position while maintaining a
light contact (touch) to the touch face of the touch sensor, which is
similar to an operation to lightly drag the finger or the like on the
touch face.

[0015] It causes a problem when the input apparatus with the touch sensor
adopting conventional schemes described above provides the tactile
sensation as it were a sensation obtained when operating the mechanical
push-button switch. More specifically, for example, when the touch sensor
detects the slide input from a position corresponding to no keys to a
position corresponding to the key, this input apparatus considers that
the key is pressed down and provides the tactile sensation. Since the
tactile sensation is provided even though the operator lightly dragged
the fingers or like without pushing the button switch graphically
depicted as the object, it results in an operation bringing the feeling
of strangeness to the operator.

[0016] In operating the mechanical push-button switch, the operator should
expect that a tactile sensation of depression of the switch (hereinafter,
referred to as a click sensation) is provided when the operator moves a
pressing position from a position with no switch to a position with a
switch while applying a certain pressure. Similarly, in operating the
mechanical push-button switch, the operator expects that another tactile
sensation of recovery of the pressed switch to an original unpressed
state (hereinafter, referred to as a release sensation) is provided when
the operator moves the pressing position from the position with the
switch to the position with no switch while applying the certain
pressure. Moreover, in operating the mechanical push-button switch, the
operator expects that neither the click sensation nor the release
sensation is provided when the operator moves the pressing position from
the position with no switch to the position with the switch, and vice
versa, while applying a very light pressure.

[0017] The conventional input apparatuses described above, however,
determine whether to provide the tactile sensation based on the position
information from the touch sensor in response to the slide input on the
touch sensor and uniformly provide the tactile sensation regardless of
strength of the pressure of the slide input. Accordingly, even when the
operator drags the fingers or the like on the touch sensor applying a
very light pressure without an intention to push it, such motion is
detected as the slide input. If this slide input is carried out at a
position corresponding to the input object, it is considered that the key
is pressed down and the tactile sensation is provided. Therefore, the
operator has the feeling of strangeness in operation due to the tactile
sensation unexpectedly provided. In such a case, moreover, an operation
based on the user's unintended input is executed, which imposes an extra
operation to cancel the operation or to re-input on the operator.

[0018] Accordingly, an object of the present invention in consideration of
such conditions is to provide an input apparatus capable of providing,
through the touch sensor, the tactile sensation as it were a sensation
obtained when operating the key and the like constituted of a mechanical
switch.

Solution to Problem

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, an input apparatus according
to a first aspect of the present invention includes:

[0020] a touch sensor configured to detect a contact;

[0021] a load detection unit configured to detect a pressure load on a
touch face of the touch sensor;

[0022] a tactile sensation providing unit configured to vibrate the touch
face; and

[0023] a control unit configured to control drive of the tactile sensation
providing unit, when a position of the contact detected by the touch
sensor moves into a predetermined region while the pressure load detected
by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard, such that
a tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch face.

[0024] A second aspect of the present invention is the input apparatus
according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit controls drive of
the tactile sensation providing unit, when the position of the contact
detected by the touch sensor moves out of the predetermined region while
the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies the
predetermined standard, such that the tactile sensation is provided to
the object pressing the touch face.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, when the position of the
contact to the touch sensor moves into the predetermined region while the
pressure load satisfies the standard load, the tactile sensation is
provided to the object pressing the touch face. According to the present
invention, therefore, it is possible to provide, through the touch
sensor, the tactile sensation as it were a sensation obtained when
operating the key and the like constituted of a mechanical switch.
Thereby, it is possible for the operator to feel a realistic sensation,
such as one obtained when operating a mechanical push-button switch,
without a feeling of strangeness. In addition, since an operation based
on an unintentional input by the operator is avoided, the burden of
re-inputting and the like for the operator is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic constitution of
an input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary housing structure of the input
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation by the input
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when a
position of a contact moves into a key region;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation by the input
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the
position of the contact moves out of the key region;

[0030]FIG. 5 illustrates examples of an operation and a pressure load
received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention;

[0031]FIG. 6 illustrates other examples of the operation and the pressure
load received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention;

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates yet other examples of the operation and the
pressure load received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 8 illustrates yet other examples of the operation and the
pressure load received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 9 illustrates yet other examples of the operation and the
pressure load received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates yet other examples of the operation and the
pressure load received by the input apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic constitution of
an input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
According to the present embodiment, any input apparatus is applicable,
as long as it receives an operator's touch input by using a touch sensor.
Such input apparatuses may be mounted on, for example, mobile terminals
used to input characters and numbers, ATM machines at a bank, and ticket
vending machines at a train station.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an input apparatus 1 according to the
present embodiment has a touch sensor 11, a load detection unit 12, a
tactile sensation providing unit 13, a display unit 14, and a control
unit 15 configured to control overall operations.

[0039] The touch sensor 11 is usually disposed on a front face of the
display unit 14 such that a touch face of the touch sensor 11 detects a
pressing input (contact) to a key and a button (hereinafter, referred to
simply as a "key and the like") displayed on the display unit 14 by an
operator's finger or the like. The touch sensor 11 may be configured, for
example, by a known type such as a resistive film type, a capacitive
type, an optical type or the like. The load detection unit 12 detects a
pressure load applied to the touch face of the touch sensor 11 and may
include an element such as, for example, a strain gauge sensor, a
piezoelectric element or the like, which linearly reacts to a load. The
tactile sensation providing unit 13 vibrates the touch sensor 11 and may
include, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator. The display unit 14
displays an input object of an input button and the like such as a
push-button switch (push-type button switch) and may include, for
example, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL display panel or
the like.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary housing structure of the input
apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of
a main section, and FIG. 2(b) is a plane view of the main section. The
display unit 14 is contained in a housing 21. The touch sensor 11 is
disposed on the display unit 14 via insulators 22 made of elastic
members. In the input apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment,
the display unit 14 and the touch sensor 11 are rectangular in shape in a
planar view. Also, according to the present embodiment, the touch sensor
11 is held on the display unit 14 via the insulators 22 arranged at four
corners outside a display area A of the display unit 14 illustrated by a
chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2(b).

[0041] The housing 21 is provided with an upper cover 23 covering a
surface area of the touch sensor 11 outside the display area of the
display unit 14. An insulator 24 made of elastic member is arranged
between the upper cover 23 and the touch sensor 11.

[0042] The touch sensor 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 may have, for example, a
surface member having a touch face 11 a and constituted of a transparent
film or the glass, and a rear face member constituted of the glass or
acryl. The touch sensor 11 is designed such that, when the touch face 11a
is pressed down, a pushed part is bent (strained) slightly in accordance
with the pressing force or a structure itself is bent slightly.

[0043] A strain gauge sensor 31 to detect the load (pressuring force)
applied on the touch sensor 11 is provided, adhered or the like, on a
surface of the touch sensor 11 at a position close to each periphery to
be covered by the upper cover 23. In addition, a piezoelectric vibrator
32 to vibrate the touch sensor 11 is provided, adhered or the like, on
the rear face of the touch sensor 11 at a position close to a periphery
on each of two opposing sides. That is, the input apparatus illustrated
in FIG. 2 has the load detection unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 including
four strain gauge sensors 31 and the tactile sensation providing unit 13
including two piezoelectric vibrators 32. In addition, the tactile
sensation providing unit 13 vibrates the touch sensor 11 such that the
touch face 11a is vibrated. It is to be noted that the housing 21, the
upper cover 23 and the insulator 24 illustrated in FIG. 2(a) are omitted
in FIG. 2(b).

[0044] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts illustrating operations of the
input apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The input
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides a tactile
sensation when a position of a contact detected by the touch sensor 11
moves into a region corresponding to an input object while the pressure
load satisfies a predetermined standard.

[0045] The flowchart in FIG. 3 illustrates an operation to provide the
tactile sensation when, after the input apparatus 1 detects a contact,
the contact corresponds to key and the like or when a position of the
contact moves into a position corresponding to the key and the like. In
order to start the operation illustrated in the flowchart in FIG. 3, the
input objects such as the key and the like are displayed on the display
unit 14 of the input apparatus 1 before receiving a contact to the touch
face of the touch sensor 11. According to the present embodiment, the
input object may be a graphical image suggesting a region to receive the
contact to the operator. For example, an image graphically depicting
numbers and characters on key tops, as the graphical images of the input
objects, is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0046] When the input apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
starts the operation, the control unit 15 monitors a contact detected by
the touch sensor 11 and a load detected by the load detection unit 12. At
step S11, when the touch sensor 11 detects a contact by a pressing object
(pressing means), such as the operator's finger, a stylus pen or the
like, the control unit 15 proceeds to step S12.

[0047] At step S12, the control unit 15 determines whether the pressure
load detected by the load detection unit 12 is increased by a pressure on
the touch sensor 11 and satisfies a predetermined standard. The load
detection unit 12 detects the load from, for example, an average output
value of the four strain gauge sensors 31. Here, it is preferable that,
based on the pressure load of a usual pressing operation by the operator,
the Pth is preset to be, for example, 1 N (Newton) and resettable
thereafter. In addition, it is avoided to set the predetermined standard
too low in consideration of the pressure load of the pressing input
intended by the operator (for example, an average value of the pressure
loads), in order to avoid receiving an inadvertent contact operation when
the operator lightly touches the touch sensor 11 and also in order to
provide the operator with a pressure sensation for a realistic tactile
sensation described below. Even though the touch sensor 11 detects a
contact at step S11, the operation according to the present embodiment is
not performed if the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12
does not satisfy the predetermined standard at step S12.

[0048] When the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard is
detected at step S12, the control unit 15 determines whether a position
of the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 is inside the
predetermined region (step S13). According to the present embodiment, the
"predetermined region" is an area of the touch sensor 11 corresponding to
a position of the display unit 14 displaying the input object such as the
keys and the buttons to receive an input. Since the "predetermined
region" corresponds to the key and the like, it is referred to simply as
a "key region" appropriately in the following description.

[0049] If the position of the contact is inside the key region at step
S13, the control unit 15 changes a display state of the input object
corresponding to the position of the contact detected on the display unit
14 (step S14). Such change of the display state of the input object at
step S14 may be, for example, changing a state of the graphically
depicted object such that it looks like a key depression when a
mechanical push-button switch is pressed down by the operator
(hereinafter, referred to as a "depression display" of the key).
Alternatively, it is also possible to change the display state of the
input object by momentarily changing color or brightness of the input
object, in order to clearly notify reception of the pressing input by the
operator.

[0050] After the depression display of the key at step S14, the control
unit 15 drives the tactile sensation providing unit 13 with a
predetermined drive signal such that the touch sensor 11 is vibrated in a
predetermined vibration pattern and provides the tactile sensation (step
S15). The tactile sensation providing unit 13 drives, for example, two
piezoelectric vibrators 32 in phase. As described above, the input
apparatus 1 receives the pressing input by a pushing operation based on
an operator's intention.

[0051] On the other hand, if the position of the contact is outside the
key region at step S13, the control unit 15 determines whether the
position of the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 has moved into
the key region (step S16). In this case, that is, the control unit 15
determines whether the position of the contact has moved into the key
region from outside the key region while the pressure load satisfies the
predetermined standard. From a point of view of an operation carried out
by the operator, it corresponds to an operator's motion to move (slide)
the position of the contact from a position not corresponding to the
input object such as the key and the like to a position corresponding
thereto on the touch sensor 11 while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard to the touch sensor 11.

[0052] When the position of the contact has not moved into the key region
at step S16, the control unit 15 returns to step S11 and determines
whether the touch sensor 11 is still detecting the contact. If the touch
sensor 11 does not detect the contact any longer, it may be considered
that the operator has removed the finger or the like from the touch
sensor 11. Therefore, the operation according to the present embodiment
ends. If the touch sensor 11 is still detecting the contact, the control
unit 15 performs the operation from step S12 described above.

[0053] On the other hand, if the position of the contact moves into the
key region at step S16, the control unit 1 15 changes the display state
of the input object corresponding to the position of the contact detected
(step S14) and provides the tactile sensation (step S15). Here, when the
position of the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 moves into the
predetermined region while the pressure load detected by the load
detection unit 12 satisfies the predetermined standard, the control unit
15 controls drive of the tactile sensation providing unit 13 such that
the tactile sensation is provided to the pressing object pressing the
touch face.

[0054] Preferably, the tactile sensation provided to the pressing object
by the tactile sensation providing unit 13 at step S15 is the click
sensation described above. In order to provide a realistic click
sensation to the operator, the input apparatus 1 stimulates a tactile
sensation of the operator while stimulating a pressure sensation, by the
following operation. That is, the input apparatus 1 stimulates the
pressure sensation until the pressure load applied to the touch sensor 11
satisfies the standard to provide the tactile sensation (for example, 1N)
and, when the pressure load satisfies the standard, stimulates the
tactile sensation by driving the piezoelectric element 32 with the
predetermined drive signal such that the touch face 11a is vibrated.
Thereby, the input apparatus 1 can provide the operator with the click
sensation similar to that obtained when pressing the button switch such
as the push-button switch (push-type button switch). Accordingly, even
with the push-button switch graphically depicted on the touch sensor, the
operator can carry out an input operation feeling the realistic click
sensation similar to that obtained when operating the actual push-button
switch. Therefore, the operator would not have a feeling of strangeness.
Moreover, since the operator can carry out the input operation in
conjunction with a perception to "have tapped" the touch sensor 11,
erroneous inputs caused by mere tapping is prevented.

[0055] The drive signal to provide the click sensation described above,
that is, a certain frequency, a period (wavelength), a waveform and a
vibration amplitude to stimulate the tactile sensor may be set suitably
according to the click sensation to be provided. For example, in order to
provide the click sensation represented by a metal dome switch employed
by the mobile terminal, the tactile sensation providing unit 13 is driven
by the drive signal of, for example, a sine wave with a frequency of 170
Hz, for 1 period. The tactile sensation providing unit 13 is driven with
the drive signal described above such that the touch face 11a is vibrated
by approximately 15 μm under the standard pressure load Pth. Thereby,
it is possible to provide the operator with the realistic click sensation
similar to that obtained when pressing down an actual key.

[0056]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation subsequent to the
operation illustrated in FIG. 3. Since the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
4 is a sequel to the operation in FIG. 3, it starts in a state that the
touch sensor 11 detects the contact of the position corresponding to the
input object displayed on the display unit 14 while the load detection
unit 12 detects the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard.
That is, at start of the operation illustrated in FIG. 4, the position of
the contact is already in the key region and, simultaneously, the
pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard. The flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 4 is the operation performed when the position of the
contact in the key region moves out of the key region.

[0057] When the operation of the input apparatus 1 illustrated by the
flowchart in FIG. 4 is started, the control unit 15 first determines
whether the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 is still
satisfying the predetermined standard (step S21).

[0058] When it is determined that the pressure load is no longer
satisfying the predetermined standard at step S21, the control unit 15
changes the display state of the input object from the depression display
to an original display therebefore and displays the input object on the
display unit 14 (step S23). In restoring the display state of the input
object at step S23, it may be considered to change the graphical image of
the object from the depression display displayed at step S14 in FIG. 3 to
a display representing recovery of the key from depression when pressure
on the mechanical push-button switch is released. In this case also, in
order to clearly notify that it has stopped receiving the pressing input
by the operator, that is, the pressing input is canceled, it is possible
to display the display state such as momentarily changes the color or the
brightness of the input object.

[0059] After restoring the display state of the key from the depression
display at step S23, the control unit 15 drives the tactile sensation
providing unit 13 with the predetermined drive signal such that the touch
sensor 11 is vibrated in the predetermined vibration pattern and provides
the tactile sensation (step S24).

[0060] On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure load is
still satisfying the predetermined standard at step S21, the control unit
15 determines whether the position of the contact detected by the touch
sensor 11 has moved out of the key region (step S22). That is, in this
case, the control unit 15 determines whether the position of the contact
moves from inside the key region to outside the key region while the
pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard. From a point of view
of an operation carried out by the operator, it corresponds to an
operator's motion to move (slide) the position of the contact from the
position corresponding to the input object such as the key and the like
to the position not corresponding thereto on the touch sensor 11 while
applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard to the
touch sensor 11.

[0061] When the position of the contact has not moved out of the key
region at step S22, the control unit 15 returns to step S21 and
determines whether the touch sensor 11 is still detecting the contact.
When it is determined that the pressure load is no longer satisfying the
predetermined standard at step S21, the control unit 15 performs
operations at step S23 and step S24.

[0062] On the other hand, when the position of the contact moves out of
the key region at step S22, the control unit 15 restores the display
state of the input object from the depression display to the original
display (step S23) and drives the tactile sensation providing unit 13
with the predetermined drive signal and provides the tactile sensation
(step S24). Here, that is, when the position of the contact detected by
the touch sensor 11 moves out of the predetermined region while the
pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 satisfies the
predetermined standard, the control unit 15 drives the tactile sensation
providing unit 13 such that the tactile sensation is provided to the
pressing object pressing the touch face.

[0063] Preferably, the tactile sensation provided to the pressing object
by the tactile sensation providing unit 13 at step S24 is the release
sensation described above. The drive signal to drive the tactile
sensation providing unit 13 to provide the release sensation may be
either the same as, or different from, the drive signal (for click
sensation) in pressing at step S15 in FIG. 3. For example, the frequency
of the drive signal (for click sensation) to provide the tactile
sensation at step S15 may be at 170 Hz, while the drive signal in
releasing may be at 125 Hz. Thereby, it is possible to provide the
operator with the realistic release sensation, different from the click
sensation, obtained when releasing the actual key. As stated above, it is
possible to provide the release sensation in releasing after the click
sensation by pressing is provided, as a counterpart of the click
sensation, by driving the tactile sensation providing unit 13 with the
predetermined drive signal and vibrating the touch sensor 11 in the
predetermined vibration pattern in the same manner as that in pressing.
Accordingly, in combination with the click sensation in pressing, it is
possible to provide the operator with the click sensation more similar to
that of the push-button switch.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 10, an example of the operation by
the input apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described with
reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 will be described below. FIG. 5 is a
diagram illustrating examples of the operation and the pressure load to
receive the pressing input by the input apparatus 1 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.

[0065]FIG. 5(A) is a diagram schematically illustrating a state that the
operator's finger presses inside a key region α and then the
pressure is released. In FIG. 5(A), the key region α is an area of
the touch sensor 11 and corresponds to a position displaying the input
object, such as the key and button, to receive an input on the display
unit 14. In FIG. 5(A), characters such as "A" and "1" responsible for
inputs and usually displayed on key tops of the input objects are
omitted. In addition, a proportion of the key region α and the
operator's finger does not reflect an actual proportion but employed for
convenience sake.

[0066]FIG. 5(B) is a graph illustrating a chronological change in the
pressure load on the touch face of the touch sensor 11 detected by the
load detection unit 12 during the operation illustrated in FIG. 5(A). In
FIG. 5(B), the "predetermined standard" of the pressure load set forth
above is represented by Pth. In addition, bracketed numbers represent an
order of elapsed time. In the following description, the bracketed
numbers are referred to as "points" for the sake of explanation.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 5(A), a point (1) represents a state that
the operator is about to press inside the key region α, a point (2)
represents a state that the operator is pressing inside the key region
α while applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard, and a point (3) represents a state that the operator is
releasing the pressure. In such an operation, as illustrated in FIG.
5(B), the load detection unit 12 starts detecting the pressure load (that
is, the operator starts pressing the touch face) between the point (1)
and the point (2), and then stops detecting the pressure load (that is,
the operator releases the pressure on the touch face) between the point
(2) and the point (3). At the point (2), in addition, the load detection
unit 12 detects the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard
Pth. The pressure load satisfies the Pth slightly before the point (2)
and stops satisfying the Pth slightly after the point (2).

[0068] As described with reference to FIG. 3) and FIG. 4), the input
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the click
sensation when detecting the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth in the key region α and the release sensation when
detecting that the pressure load stops satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth in the key are α. In FIG. 5(B), a downward pointing
arrow illustrated under a time axis when the pressure load satisfies the
Pth slightly before the point (2) indicates when the click sensation,
which is a key depression sensation, is provided. Similarly, an upward
pointing arrow illustrated under the time axis when the pressure load
stops satisfying the Pth slightly after the point (2) indicates when the
release sensation, a recovery sensation of key depression, is provided.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the click sensation is
provided when detecting the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth in the key region and the release sensation when the
pressure load stops satisfying the predetermined standard Pth in the key
region. That is, an example is above described, such that the standard of
the pressure load to provide the click sensation and that to provide the
release sensation have the same value Pth. However, it is also possible
to set the standard of the pressure load to provide the release sensation
to be 50-80% lower than that to provide the tactile sensation in
pressing. Thereby, when the operator clicks and then releases the
pressure at the same position (input object), a sequential operation to
press and release the pressure and timings to provide the tactile
sensations become in synchronization with one another spontaneously,
providing realistic click sensation and release sensation without the
feeling of strangeness.

[0070] As described above, when the pressure load on the touch face
detected satisfies the predetermined standard Pth (step S12) and the
position of the contact is inside the key region α (step S13), the
input apparatus 1 provides the click sensation (step S15). Similarly,
even though the position of the contact is inside the key region α
(START in FIG. 4), when the pressure load detected on the touch face
stops satisfying the predetermined standard Pth (step S21), the release
sensation is provided (step S24).

[0071] According to the input apparatus 1 of the embodiment of the present
invention, as described above, the operator can obtain the click
sensation when pressing the key region α while applying the
pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth and then obtains
the release sensation when reducing the pressure load to stop satisfying
the predetermined standard Pth. Thereby, the operator can obtain the
tactile sensation as it were a sensation obtained when operating the key
and the like constituted of a mechanical switch.

[0072]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating other examples of the operation
and the pressure load to receive the pressure input by the input
apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
6 and thereafter, each symbol and the like has the same meaning as that
described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 6(A) is a diagram schematically
illustrating a state that the operator's finger presses inside the key
region α and then moves out it while the pressure load is
maintained, and then the pressure is released.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 6(A), the point (1) represents a state that
the operator is about to press the key region α and the point (2)
represents a state that the operator is pressing inside the key region
α while applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard. The point (3) represents a state that, from the point (2), the
operator is moving the position of the contact within the key region
α and out therefrom while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. A point (4) represents a state that, from the
point (3), the operator is moving the position of the contact outside the
key region α while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. A point (5) represents a state that the operator
is releasing the pressure.

[0074] In this operation, as illustrated in FIG. 6(B), the load detection
unit 12 starts detecting the pressure load (that is, the operator starts
pressing the touch face) between the point (1) and the point (2). At the
point (2), the load detection unit 12 detects the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard Pth. Between the point (2) and the
point (3), the pressure load continuously satisfies the predetermined
standard Pth (that is, the operator is moving the position of the contact
while applying the pressure load satisfying the Pth). Between the point
(3) and the point (4) also, the load detection unit 12 continuously
detects the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth (that
is, the operator is moving the position of the contact while applying the
pressure load satisfying the Pth). At the point (4), the pressure load
stops satisfying the Pth. Then, between the point (4) and the point (5),
the load detection unit 12 stops detecting the pressure load (that is,
the operator releases the pressure on the touch face).

[0075] As described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the input
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the click
sensation when detecting the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth in the key region α and the release sensation when the
position of the contact moves out of the key region α while the
pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard Pth.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 6(B), the downward pointing arrow
illustrated under the time axis when the pressure load satisfies the Pth
at the point (2) indicates when the click sensation is provided.
Similarly, the upward pointing arrow illustrated under the time axis at
the point (3) indicates when the release sensation is provided. Although
the pressure load stops satisfying the Pth at the point (4), neither a
condition to provide the click sensation nor that to provide the release
sensation is not satisfied. Therefore, the input apparatus 1 does not
provide the tactile sensation at this point.

[0077] As described above, when the pressure load on the touch face
detected satisfies the predetermined standard Pth (step S12) and the
position of the contact is inside the key are a (step S13), the input
apparatus 1 provides the click sensation (step S15). On the other hand,
when the pressure load continuously satisfies the predetermined standard
Pth (step S21) while the position of the contact moves out of the key
region α (step S22), the input apparatus 1 provides the release
sensation (step S24).

[0078] According to the input apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as
described above, the operator can obtain the click sensation when
pressing the key region α while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard Pth and the release sensation when
moving the position of the contact out of the key region α while
maintaining the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth.
Thereby, in using the touch sensor, when the operator inputs by moving
the position of the contact, the operator can obtain the tactile
sensation as it were the sensation obtained when operating the key and
the like constituted of the mechanical switch.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating yet other examples of the
operation and the pressure load to receive the pressure input by the
input apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7(A) is a diagram schematically illustrating a state that the
operator's finger presses outside the key region α, moves into the
key region α while maintaining the pressure, and then the pressure
is released.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 7(A), the point (1) represents the state
that the operator is about to press outside the key region α and
the point (2) represents the state that the operator is pressing outside
the key region α while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. The point (3) represents a state that, from the
point (2), the operator is moving the position of the contact outside of
the key region α and thereinto while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (4) represents a state
that, from the point (3), the operator is moving the position of the
contact within the key region α while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (5) represents a state
that the operator is releasing the pressure.

[0081] In this operation, as illustrated in FIG. 7(B), the load detection
unit 12 starts detecting the pressure load (that is, the operator starts
pressing the touch face) between the point (1) and the point (2). At the
point (2), in addition, the load detection unit 12 detects the pressure
load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth. Between the point (2) and
the point (3), the pressure load continuously satisfies the predetermined
standard Pth (that is, the operator moves the position of the contact
while applying the pressure load satisfying the Pth). Between the point
(3) and the point (4) also, the load detection unit 12 continuously
detects the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth (that
is, the operator moves the position of the contact while applying the
pressure load satisfying the Pth). At the point (4), the pressure load
stops satisfying the Pth. Moreover, the load detection unit 12 stops
detecting the pressure load (that is, the operator releases the pressure
on the touch face) between the point (4) and the point (5).

[0082] As described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the input
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the click
sensation when the position of the contact moves into the key region
α while the pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard Pth
and the release sensation when the pressure load in the key region
α detected stops satisfying the predetermined standard Pth.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 7(B), the downward pointing arrow
illustrated under the time axis at the point (3) indicates when the click
sensation is provided. Similarly, the upward pointing arrow illustrated
under the time axis at the point (4) when the pressure load stops
satisfying the Pth indicates when the release sensation is provided.
Although the pressure load satisfies the Pth at the point (2) (step S12),
the position of the contact is outside the key region α (step S13)
and has not moved into the key region α (step S16), neither the
condition to provide the click sensation nor that to provide the release
sensation is not satisfied. Therefore, the input apparatus 1 does not
provide the tactile sensation at this point.

[0084] As described above, when the pressure load satisfies the
predetermined Pth (step S12) while the position of the contact moves from
outside the key region α thereinto (step S16), the input apparatus
1 provides the click sensation (step S15). On the other hand, even if the
position of the contact is inside the key region α (START in FIG.
4), when the pressure load on the touch face detected stops satisfying
the predetermined standard Pth (step S21), the input apparatus 1 provides
the release sensation (step S24).

[0085] According to the input apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as
described above, it is possible for the operator to obtain the click
sensation when moving the position of the contact into the key region
α while maintaining the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth and the release sensation when reducing the pressure load on
the key region α to stop satisfying the predetermined standard Pth.

[0086]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating yet other examples of the
operation and the pressure load to receive the pressure input by the
input apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8(A) is a diagram schematically illustrating a state that the
operator's finger presses outside the key region α, moves into the
key region α and out of the key region α while maintaining
the pressure, and then the pressure is released.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 8(A), the point (1) represents the state
that the operator is about to press outside the key region α and
the point (2) represents the state that the operator is pressing outside
the key region α while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. The point (3) represents a state that, from the
point (2), the operator is moving the position of the contact outside the
key region α and thereinto while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (4) represents a state
that, from the point (3), the operator is moving the position of the
contact inside of the key region α and thereout while applying the
pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (5)
represents a state that, from the point (4), the operator is moving the
position of the contact outside the key are a while applying the pressure
load satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (6) represents a
state that the operator is releasing the pressure.

[0088] In this operation, as illustrated in FIG. 8(B), the load detection
unit 12 starts detecting the pressure load (that is, the operator starts
pressing the touch face) between the point (1) and the point (2). At the
point (2), in addition, the load detection unit 12 detects the pressure
load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth. Between the point (2) and
the point (3), the pressure load continuously satisfies the predetermined
standard Pth (that is, the operator moves the position of the contact
while applying the pressure load satisfying the Pth). Between the point
(3) and the point (4) and also between the point (4) and the point (5),
the load detection unit 12 continuously detects the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard Pth (that is, the operator moves
the position of the contact while applying the pressure load satisfying
the Pth). At the point (5), the pressure load stops satisfying the Pth.
Moreover, the load detection unit 12 stops detecting the pressure load
(that is, the operator releases the pressure on the touch face) between
the point (5) and the point (6).

[0089] As described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the input
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the click
sensation when the position of the contact moves into the key region
α while the pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard Pth.
In addition, the input apparatus 1 provides the release sensation when
the position of the contact moves out of the key region α while the
pressure load satisfies the predetermined standard Pth.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 8(B), the downward pointing arrow
illustrated under the time axis at the point (3) indicates when the click
sensation is provided. Similarly, the upward pointing arrow illustrated
under the time axis at the point (4) indicates when the release sensation
is provided. Although the pressure load satisfies the Pth at the point
(2) (step S12), since the position of the contact is outside the key
region α (step S13) and has not moved into the key region α
(step S16), neither the condition to provide the click sensation nor that
to provide the release sensation is not satisfied. Therefore, the input
apparatus 1 does not provide the tactile sensation at this point. In
addition, although the pressure load stops satisfying the Pth at the
point (5), neither the condition to provide the click sensation nor that
to provide the release sensation is not satisfied. Therefore, the input
apparatus 1 does not provide the tactile sensation at this point.

[0091] As described above, when the pressure load satisfies the
predetermined Pth (step S12) while the position of the contact moves into
the key region α (step S16), the input apparatus 1 provides the
click sensation (step S15). On the other hand, when the pressure load
satisfies the predetermined standard Pth (step S21) while the position of
the contact moves out of the key region α (step S22), the input
apparatus 1 provides the release sensation (step S24).

[0092] According to the input apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as
described above, the operator can obtain the click sensation when moving
the position of the contact into the key region α while maintaining
the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth and then the
release sensation when moving the position of the contact out of the key
region α while maintaining the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard Pth.

[0093]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating yet other examples of the
operation and the pressure load to receive the pressure input by the
input apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9(A) is a diagram schematically illustrating a state that the
operator's finger presses outside the key region α, moves into the
key region α and then out of the key region α while
maintaining the pressure, moves into a key region β and then out of
the key region β while maintaining the pressure, and releases the
pressure. Even when the position of the contact moves across a plurality
of different key regions, the input apparatus 1 performs the same
operation as described above.

[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 9(A), the point (1) represents the state
that the operator is about to press outside the key region α and
the point (2) represents the state that the operator is pressing outside
the key region α while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. The point (3) represents a state that, from the
point (2), the operator is moving the position of the contact outside the
key region α and thereinto while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (4) represents a state
that, from the point (3), the operator is moving the position of the
contact inside the key region α and thereout while applying the
pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard.

[0095] In addition, the point (5) represents a state that, from the point
(4), the operator is moving the position of the contact into the key
region β from outside the key region α or β while
applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard. The
point (6) represents a state that, from the point (5), the operator is
moving the position of the contact inside the key region β and
thereout while applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard. The point (7) represents a state that, from the point (6), the
operator is moving the position of the contact outside the key region
β while applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard. The point (8) represents the state that the operator is
releasing the pressure.

[0096] Based on this operation, as illustrated in FIG. 9(B), the input
apparatus 1 provides the click sensation at the point (3) and the release
sensation at the point (4). Further, the input apparatus 1 provides the
click sensation again at the point (5) and the release sensation again at
the point (6). At the point (2), although the pressure load satisfies the
Pth, the input apparatus 1 does not provide the tactile sensation. At the
point (7), in addition, although the pressure load stops satisfying the
Pth, the input apparatus 1 does not provide the tactile sensation.

[0097] According to the input apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as
described above, the operator can obtain the click sensation when moving
the position of the contact into the key region α or the key region
β while maintaining the pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard Pth. According to the input apparatus 1, in addition, the
operator can obtain the release sensation when moving the position of the
contact out of the key region α or the key region β while
maintaining the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth.
Thereby, in using the touch sensor, when the operator inputs by moving
the position of the contact across a plurality of key regions, the
operator can obtain the tactile sensation as it were the sensation
obtained when operating the key and the like constituted of the
mechanical switch.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet other examples of the
operation and the pressure load to receive the pressure input by the
input apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10(A) is a diagram schematically illustrating a state that the
operator's finger presses inside the key region α, moves out of the
key region α and into the key region β while maintaining the
pressure, and then the pressure is released. Even when the position of
the contact moves between a plurality of different key regions, the input
apparatus 1 performs the same operation as described above.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 10(A), the point (1) represents the state
that the operator is about to press inside the key region α and the
point (2) represents the state that the operator is pressing inside the
key region α while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. The point (3) represents a state that, from the
point (2), the operator is moving the position of the contact inside the
key region α and thereout while applying the pressure load
satisfying the predetermined standard. The point (4) represents a state
that, from the point (3), the operator is moving the position of the
contact outside the key regions α or β and into the key region
β, while applying pressure load satisfying the predetermined
standard. In addition, the point (5) represents a state that, from the
point (4), the operator is moving the position of the contact within the
key region β while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard. The point (6) represents the state that the
operator is releasing the pressure.

[0100] Based on the operation described above, as illustrated in FIG.
10(B), the input apparatus 1 provides the click sensation at the point
(2) and the release sensation at the point (3). Further, the input
apparatus 1 provides the click sensation again at the point (4) and the
release sensation again at the point (5).

[0101] According to the input apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as
described above, the operator can obtain the click sensation when
pressing inside the key region α or the key region β while
applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth and
the release sensation when reducing the pressure load inside the key
region α or the key region β such that the pressure load stops
satisfying the predetermined standard Pth. According to the input
apparatus 1, in addition, the operator can obtain the click sensation
when moving the position of the contact into the key region α or
the key region β while applying the pressure load satisfying the
predetermined standard Pth. According to the input apparatus 1, moreover,
the operator can obtain the release sensation when moving the position of
the contact out of the key region α or the key region β while
applying the pressure load satisfying the predetermined standard Pth.

[0102] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the above embodiment but may be modified or varied in a multiple of
manners. For example, although there is no mention about whether to
generate a sound in performing the operation in the embodiment set forth
above, it is possible to appropriately generate a sound in conjunction
with the operation in addition to the operation in each of the above
embodiments. Thereby, it facilitates operator's recognition, further
improving operability of the input apparatus and reducing generation of
erroneous inputs. In addition, although the touch face of the touch
sensor has one or two key regions for the sake of simplification in the
embodiment set forth above, it is appreciated that three or more key
regions can be provided. In the embodiment set forth above, moreover, in
inputting the operator moves the position of the contact in a crosswise
direction for the sake of simplification. However, it is appreciated that
it is also possible to move the position of the contact in any directions
including a longitude direction.

[0103] In addition, the load detection unit in the above embodiment may be
constituted by using any number of strain gauge sensors. Moreover, the
load detection unit may be constituted according to a contact detection
scheme of the touch sensor. For example, the load detection unit can be
constituted without using the strain gauge sensor if the load can be
detected from a change of an output signal based on a resistance change
in accordance with a contact region in using the resistive film type.
Alternatively, the load detection unit can be constituted without using
the strain gauge sensor if the load can be detected from a change in an
output signal based on a change in capacitance in using the capacitive
type.

[0104] In addition, the tactile sensation providing unit may be
constituted by using any number of piezoelectric transducers, transparent
piezoelectric elements provided on an entire operation surface of the
touch sensor or, if it is possible to vibrate such that the tactile
sensation is provided, an eccentric motor which rotates 360 degrees in 1
cycle of the drive signal. Moreover, it is possible to configure the load
detection unit and the tactile sensation providing unit by using the
piezoelectric elements, which allows for a configuration to combine a
function unit of the load detection unit and that of the tactile
sensation providing unit.

[0105] According to the input apparatus of the present invention, the
tactile sensation providing unit is driven when the pressure load
detected by the load detection unit satisfies the predetermined standard
to provide the tactile sensation. This "when the pressure load detected
by the load detection unit satisfies the standard" may represent "when
the pressure load detected by the load detection unit reaches a standard
value to provide the tactile sensation", "when the pressure load detected
by the load detection unit exceeds the standard value to provide the
tactile sensation", or "when the standard value to provide the tactile
sensation is detected by the load detection unit".